Australian Slang

Australian English, colloquially known as ‘strine’ was born mainly from a mixture of the 2 main groups of convicts it received in its early history, The Irish & the Cockneys from East London. It is characterised by flat long vowels, speaking through the nose (but not all speakers), shortened nouns, & some consonants that are pronounced so softly you can hardly hear them. Words like those with little emphasis on the consonants can easily merge into one as in the common phrase like ‘Owya goin’ mate?’ Or ‘How you going mate?’

Australian English is well known for shortening nouns; surnames, place names and christian names. Generally you take the first syllable and add a “y” or “o” (Jenkins-Jenko, Woolridge-Woolly, Coolangatta-Cooly). First names with an “r” in them will be Barry-Bazza, Sharon-Shazza and Larry-Lozza.
These days the spoken Australian English like most English slanguages is a mixture of the British English taught in schools & the American English more often found on the television.

Originally used as the flag for the successful campaign for the America’s Cup

Quintessential Australian

Mate: no other word can let you know that you’re talking to an Australian than ‘mate’. Even though it is used also by the Brits specifically English, and forms a great part of New Zealand speak, it is the frequency that it is used in Australia.
Mate is used instead of friend, or a colleague that you vaguely know or an unknown male person in your vicinity. Some of its uses are:G’day (or Gidday) mate!
Old mate
Flatmate/Housemate- someone who shares a house with another
Workmate- work colleague

Gidday or G’day– Good day. The typical Aussie greeting
No worries mate- this expression is based on the idea that Aussies have a laid back or relaxed attitude to life. No worries mate is used in a variety of situations.
Meaning ‘You’re welcome’, ‘Don’t you worry about it’ or “I understand you’

Bloody- the great Australian superlative or intensifier. You’re bloody stupid. Bloody hell!

Tomato sauce is the only acceptable word used for this popular condiment

In the bar

“It’s always offshore in the pub”

Beers: most consumed Carlton Draught; formerly it was Victoria Bitter & Carlton Cold Filtered. Other good ones are Cascade, James Boags, Coopers Red & Pale Ale, Tooheys Dry, Eumundi Warning! Never try Fosters or XXXX & other Queensland beers for fear of death. Australian spirits include Bundaberg Rum. Whilst around Adelaide various regional wines are consumed due to their long tradition of producing some of Australia’s most well known wines like Wolf Blass or Penfolds.

Image via Wikipedia

Beer gut. I’ve worked hard for my beer gut

Beer pig- beer lover who also drinks a lot

Blotto- to be very drunk You’re blotto mate

Booze– Let’s get on the booze tonight (let’s have a drink/get drunk tonight)

Bottlo- bottle shop (registered shop where you buy alcohol)

BYO- bring your own sign in unlicensed restaurants

Crack open a coldie- to open a beer

Crack a tinny mate

Drinker’s elbow
An injury you get from bending your elbow while drinking

Don’t be a wet blanket Shaz, let’s party!
A partypooper

Let’s get pissed-get drunk

Let’s by some cheap plonk
cheap alcohol

Liquid lunch- a lunch that includes a lot of alcohol

I’m as pissed as a fart- (to be very drunk)

It’s always offshore in the pub

It’s beer o’clock- time to drink beer

It’s your shout WazzaShouting is to take a round to buy the alcohol for your group